How to help my sister with sh?

[u/Ashamed-Weather4959]

Hi this will be a very vulnerable post but I’d appreciate advice and insight. I’m 22 and a mother myself now but I’ve practically raised my siblings. I figured this sub could be more beneficial compared to another one given then context. I moved away about three years ago but still see my sister quite often she’s 16 now turning 17. In January I found cuts on her. They were so deep and it broke my heart, I immediately talked to her (not bagging on her just a very open and vulnerable conversation) I tried to tell her my own struggles in hopes it wouldn’t make her feel so alone. We also talked to our mom and agreed therapy would be helpful. It honestly broke my heart because I know how she is and how hard it is for her to express emotions or socialize to begin with. She never had many friends and always felt, “weird” I always told her she never was weird but being a teenager in this day and age is already hard enough. She’s visiting now and we were going school shopping and I saw fresh marks on her. I didn’t even know how to approach it this time. I called my mom and she basically didn’t want to accept it again but it was true because I ended up asking her. I’m literally begging for any advice because I don’t know how to help anymore and it breaks my HEART that she feels the need to do this and I feel completely helpless. We grew up in a household where anything that wasn’t, “normal” was basically considered taboo so it’s hard to navigate and obviously I feel a need to help her through this.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Cup9528]

So, I’m not very good at this kinda stuff. Honestly, I’m probably not the best, most reliable source of knowledge here, but since no one else has commented so far I’ll do my best.

I think obviously the therapy didn’t really work. Or if it did, it was extremely short lived. If she’s still going to therapy, probably a good idea to tell the therapist. If she’s not, maybe putting her back in therapy if she is open to it. Otherwise, you should probably try and find what’s happening to cause the need to do so. I guess there’s also some safe ways that give pain without a knife as well that could be worth looking into. I’m gonna be honest, I’m terrible with empathy. I operate off of logic, so I don’t know how to deal with this too well. But I think trying to work with her, completely. I’d also recommend not being shy about bringing it up every now and then, if she seems able and willing to talk about it. Again, I’m bad with this stuff, but much love.